Page 281 - (DK Eyewitness) Travel Guide - Portugal

original stone arches; the rest
were rebuilt in the 14th and VINHO VERDE
Did You Know? 15th centuries. The 15th- Ponte de Barca and
century church of Santo Ponte de Lima are well
The Romans thought António houses the Museu known for their young
their memories would dos Terceiros, a museum of sparkling white wine –
disappear if they sacred art. The Museu Rural vinho verde (green
crossed the has antique farming equip- wine). You can buy it on
Lima river. ment, an authentic regional tap, and it is still served
kitchen and gardens. in ceramic bowls in some
Ponte de Lima’s remaining bars. Perfect for hot
medieval fortifications include summer days, vinho
There are 18th-century azulejos the 15th-century Palácio dos verde is fairly low in
inside as well as an impressive Marqueses de Ponte de Lima. alcohol content (about
rose window. The town’s market, dating 10 or 11 per cent). A
from 1125, takes place every weightier version is
Museu Arqueológico Monday and in mid-September produced from the
⌂ Paços dos Condes crowds gather in the town to Alvarinho grape, which
§ 253 809 600 # Daily celebrate the Feiras Novas is cultivated around
(New Fairs), a religious festival Monção (p282). Vinho
and folkloric market. verde made from red
9 grapes is also available.
Museu dos Terceiros
Ponte de Lima ⌂ Avenida 5 de Outubro
§ 258 240 220 # 10am– graceful arcades and noble
! E1 @ n Passeio 25 de
Abril, Torre da Cadeia 12:30pm, 2–6pm Tue–Sun mansions from the 16th and
Velha; 258 240 208 17th cent uries. The Jardim dos
Poetas (Poets’ Garden) and
This attractive riverside town 10 riverside parks are ideal for
takes its name from the ancient picnics, and there is a huge
bridge over the Lima river. Ponte da Barca open-air market along the river.
During the Middle Ages, the ! E1 @ n Rua Conselheiro Some of Portugal’s finest
town played a piv otal role Rocha Peixoto 9; 258 Romanesque carvings are on
in the defence of the Minho 455 246 the 13th-century church at
against the Moors. The Roman Bravães, 4 km (2 miles) west
bridge has only five of its The town of Ponte da Barca of Ponte da Barca. Sculp ted
derives its name from the monkeys, oxen and birds of
graceful 15th-century bridge prey decorate the columns of
that replaced the boat once its main portal; the tym panum
used to ferry pilgrims across shows Christ in majesty flanked
the Lima river (ponte means by two angels.
bridge, and barca means boat).
A stroll through the tranquil Striking bronze statue
town centre leads dedicated to rural people
past the pil lory, in Ponte de Lima

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